Hobbitcore Decor: How to Make Your Apartment Feel Like a Cozy Hobbit Home
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If you want to transform your apartment into your own personal fairy tale hideaway, then you might want to explore the Hobbitcore aesthetic!
Whether you're a Lord of the Rings fan or not, I think we could all learn a thing or two from the Hobbit house look when it comes to creating a homey, cozy atmosphere. And if you are a Lord of the Rings fan, then get ready for some decor ideas that are perfectly tailored to you.
Because in this post, I'm giving you a bunch of Hobbitcore decor ideas that will help you take your average, everyday apartment and transport it straight to the Shire, where you can enjoy your daily second breakfast in style.
Would you rather watch than read? Here’s the video! ↓
What is Hobbitcore?
Like the name suggests, Hobbitcore is an aesthetic that's inspired by the Hobbit homes from the Lord of the Rings world. And the thing about Hobbits - which I don't think they get enough credit for - is they're very stylish. I mean, look at Bilbo's home; it's a cozy oasis with a very lived-in, rustic charm. And the architecture? So bold. So distinct. So… round. 🙃
And the roundness of a hobbit house is one of the challenges when you're doing this look, especially if you live in a rental apartment. Because we're not going to be reconfiguring the entire architectural look of our rentals. As much as I would love my doors and windows to be circles, it's just not going to happen.
Like many of the design styles I talk about in my YouTube videos, this is all about tapping into the spirit of the look and allowing your space to benefit from elements of the style, not necessarily recreating it literally.
So to infuse the spirit of Hobbitcore into your apartment (or any kind of living situation!), you'll want to look for antiques, rustic wood, nature-oriented pieces, and use an earthy color palette of browns, greens, and creams. Think rustic design and the cottagecore aesthetic, but with a distinctly laid-back sensibility.
Hobbits may be intrinsically stylish (at least in my opinion, as a sucker for fantasy garb) but they're also very no-nonsense. They're down to earth and live a very simple, bucolic lifestyle. So Hobbitcore decor should largely be pretty no muss, no fuss. But that doesn't mean we can't also branch into touches of whimsy! Because at the end of the day, The Lord of the Rings is an epic fantasy. Channeling Hobbitcore doesn't require you to strictly stay true to the ways of the hobbits; we can also tap into the larger story for inspiration!
However you choose to interpret it, keep in mind that Hobbitcore is more than just a cute aesthetic. Like all of the styles I talk about on my channel, there's a lot more depth at play here than what you can visually see.
The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings books are monumental literary pieces that have had a huge impact on our culture and storytelling. Tolkien pretty much built the template for what fantasy worldbuilding looks and feels like. Without these books, we likely wouldn't have things like Game of Thrones, The Legend of Zelda, and one of my personal favorites that has largely faded into early 2000s obscurity: The 10th Kingdom. (If you know, you know. 😉)
Without Tolkien, the fantasy media you love probably just wouldn't exist—or at least they would look very different. So Hobbitcore comes with this weight. It represents a massive cultural touchstone.
And even aside from the Tolkien of it all, Hobbitcore also represents a simpler, slower lifestyle that I think we all crave in our crazy modern world.
The rise of aesthetics like Hobbitcore and Cottagecore reflect a yearning in society to slow down and escape. We instinctually feel that need down to our bones. It's primal. It's not because we simply think these aesthetics are cute; it's because they hearken to something deeply human, to the natural beings we are without all the technology and skyscrapers and 9-to-5 jobs.
Hobbitcore represents an irresistible fantasy now more than ever. It's not just cute. It's meaningful.
So with that overview of what the Hobbitcore aesthetic is and what it represents, let's get into the specific decor pieces I found that will give you some ideas on how to create your own little Hobbit hole!
Wall Art
One of the main questions we have to ask when tapping into Hobbitcore is how can we create the sense of architectural roundness of a hobbit hole without a massive renovation that will never take place in a rental apartment? What you do is you find ways to echo that roundness on a smaller scale. For example, it can be as simple as incorporating round, oval-shaped, or arched pieces of wall art like these:
In a very subtle way, the rounded shapes of these pieces channel the roundness of a hobbit hole. And on top of that, they have the vintage, rustic look we’re looking for. These in particular look like they could have been carved by a hobbit craftsman, don't you think? And this vintage botanical piece would look lovely layered with things like old books, dried flowers, and candlesticks. Pieces like these would be a nice, simple way to add touches of Hobbitcore in your apartment without very much heavy lifting!
Carved Wood Corbels
For a bit more of a dramatic way to round things out in your apartment (that frankly would require a bit more heavy lifting and labor if you're down for it) you could add wood-carved corbels like these to your walls:
Of course, this would depend on your building's rules and whether you want to risk your damage deposit, but corbels are a beautiful way to add some character to a room—and in the case of this style, more roundness. Just something to consider depending on how far you want to go with this look!
Wrought Iron Chandelier
As I was shopping for Hobbitcore decor, I looked closely at the actual visual elements inside Bilbo's home and looked for things that echo the pieces he has. And of course, there's the iconic chandelier that Gandalf bumps his head on, so I found this wrought iron chandelier that kind of mimics that look:
I mean, would this be a little intense for an apartment? Maybe. But that really depends on the styling context surrounding it. If you're doing a more dramatic look in general in your space, then this piece would fit right in. But if you're doing, say, a minimalist vanilla girl look, then sure, this might be a little out of place. Actually, you know what? Scratch that. That could look cool too. I love a good moment of visual contrast, so what the hell.
But I digress. This chandelier looks like you could have plucked it from a dimly lit tavern in the Shire as well as straight from Bilbo's house, so it's perfect for Hobbitcore.
Candlestick Holders
I also noticed a lot of what looked like wrought iron or wood-carved candlestick holders throughout Bilbo's home, so I found these:
Candlelight is essential to Hobbitcore. It's all about coziness, calm, and creating a sense of slow-living enchantment. And candlelight is a quintessential part of that! You could cluster candlestick holders like these on a rustic wood coffee table or windowsill, then light the candles on a drizzly evening… pure magic.
Peel & Stick Lattice Window Film
Another distinct aspect of Bilbo's home is the beautiful lattice pattern on some of the windows, which I can just about guarantee you don't have in your apartment. Maybe some of you do - it is possible - but by and large, most average new-build apartments won't have a circular lattice window.
So as renters, we must turn to the next best thing: peel and stick. And this peel and stick lattice film would add a stunning old-world touch to your apartment:
What would us apartment dwellers do without peel and stick things? Like, could you imagine living in a time where peel and stick options didn't exist? Well actually, if we lived in that time, more of us would be able to afford buying a house… 🙃
But anyway. We might not be able to magically make our windows circular, but this lattice pattern would add a nice Hobbitcore touch.
Pinecones + Wicker Basket
Another way to incorporate this style into your space is to turn to earthy, nature elements. If you look closely, it looks like Bilbo has a cute little wicker basket of pine cones near his fireplace. And this would be very easy to replicate! Just gather some pine cones from your backyard - or, if you live in a city without any wilderness to speak of, which you likely do if you live in an apartment - you could just order some like these from Etsy, along with a wicker basket like this:
Actually, these pinecones are really unique-looking, and I personally have never seen most of these in the wild (you know, in the very limited amount of time that I've spent outside in my life lol) and these particular pinecones on Etsy are just extra pretty in my opinion. So you might want to order some like these rather than braving the outdoors yourself!
Dried Flower Rack
Along the lines of incorporating earthy, nature things, hanging dried flowers would also be lovely for this look. If you look closely in Bilbo's kitchen, it looks like he has some dried flowers hanging in there, so I think our little Hobbit style icon would approve. 😉
If you watch all my videos, you know I am a sucker for dried flowers, and Hobbitcore is a perfect opportunity to display a full rack of them. Imagine something like this in your kitchen, in a transitional hallway, or really anywhere!
Rugs
When it comes to choosing rugs for a Hobbitcore look, you could consider something like any of these:
Now, the patterned ones I’ve chosen might be on the ornate side if we're being really strict with the no-frills hobbit vibe, but I still think they would fit nicely into a Hobbitcore room. Again, we don't have to literally pretend to be hobbits when channeling their aesthetic. Anything that gives a medieval or Grimms' fairytale vibe would fit with this style.
And then if you wanted to stick with the simpler side of things, I love this green scalloped rug for this look. It's a solid, earthy green with a natural-looking texture about it, yet the scallops add just enough pizzazz to keep it from feeling boring. A rug like this would really ground a room, and Hobbitcore really is all about groundedness. I mean, they literally live partially underground, so anything that brings that sense of grounded earthiness would be a nice addition to this look!
Vintage Books
Of course, you can't go wrong with the addition of vintage books when it comes to this style. And like Bilbo himself, having a bunch of old books strewn about your apartment would instantly give your space an air that a curious and learned hobbit lives here.
I know a lot of you love dark academia, so you might already have an old book collection. But if you don't, Etsy is probably the best place to find them, aside from an actual antique shop. So just start browsing, and it would be pretty easy to get started on a collection of your own!
Step Stool
Another cute little Hobbitcore-esque thing that I found was this cute little stool:
We all need a stool from time to time, especially if you're a 5'3 shorty like me (and especially if you're a hobbit). So when you buy one, you might as make it cute and, even better, make it look like a stool that a hobbit would have! And I feel like this stool gives that vibe.
This is one of those pieces that is practical but also visually interesting. You could leave it out anywhere and it would basically act as a piece of decor. Whether you're a human or a hobbit, sometimes you just need help reaching something, so might as well do it in style!
Literal Lord of the Rings Decor
Finally, to round out the smaller decorative accents for this look, I found a couple things that are literal depictions of Lord of the Rings things. There's this really pretty Hobbit hole wall art and these cute little bowls with lids that look like Hobbit doors:
They’re just a couple of really cute items that would be great for any Lord of the Rings fan, while still keeping things cute.
If you keep up with my videos, you know I'm a big proponent of incorporating the things you love into your styling - but doing so in an aesthetically pleasing way. And these would strike that balance!
By the way, for more on incorporating fandom and the things you love into your space but doing so stylishly, this video of mine is all about that if you want some tips and ideas on this:
Bedding
For bedding, you could do something like this forest green velvet quilt if you wanted to keep things more simple and down to earth:
This quilt is wholesome and laid-back, but the velvet still gives it an element of pretty. And the nice thing about solid bedding versus a pattern is you get more freedom when it comes to the accessories around it - it's just easier to pair things with a solid color.
But if you did want to go with a pattern when it comes to your bedding, I think something like this would be perfect:
This would definitely give a bit more of an airy, feminine take on the Hobbitcore look, which I really like the idea of. It also strikes me as very cottagecore!
Headboards
This headboard would be absolutely perfect for Hobbitcore. Not only does it have the rustic wood, but the rounded shape really channels the roundness that Hobbit holes have. I mean, this almost looks like it was made from a Hobbit hole door - like a hobbit just took it off its hinges, moved it into the bedroom, and converted it into a headboard.
Then for something a little different, I also found this iron headboard:
This one is another example of leaning into more of a feminine hobbit side, and it would just be really well-suited for this style!
Throw Pillow
With this throw pillow, we’re once again tapping into the hobbit hole roundness, and it also just looks like something that was embroidered by a hobbit. It's very pretty but also not too ornate, and it would just add a nice, subtle pop of pattern to the bed. And it doesn't hurt that it is forest green, which really is the main character color of this look!
Dressers
For a Hobbitcore bedroom, this dresser is definitely more on the rustic, grounded side. It’s more of a no-nonsense hobbit kind of piece, but still very beautiful.
And then this dresser is a bit more stylized:
It looks like something from a fairy tale, right? It also has a Chinoiserie look about it, which isn't exactly part of the Lord of the Rings aesthetic, but still, I could see it in a Hobbit home nonetheless. And it would also just be a really awesome statement piece in a bedroom!
Wood Chair Like Bilbo’s
Back to actually looking at Bilbo's house for direct inspiration, I started looking for wooden chairs like this one in his main room:
So I found this chair on Etsy:
SOULnPEPPER / Etsy
It may not look exactly like his chair, but it definitely captures the same spirit. It would be so cute nestled in the corner of a bedroom - maybe with a small throw pillow like the round one that I showed you earlier. Something like this chair would instantly make a room feel cozy in a lovely, grandmotherly way. Like a grandma hobbit. Who wouldn't want that?
Tree Branch Bookcase
TytoDesign / Etsy
This is actually my favorite piece that I found for this look. What a statement it would be in a room! Having something like this would instantly make a space look enchanted - like straight up Hobbit excellence, fairy-dwelling magic. The whimsy of it is just, frankly, overwhelming. This is like the final boss of Hobbitcore decor!
Hobbitcore Bedroom Design
Now let's see how some of these decor and furniture pieces could come together in a bedroom design I created!
I mean, how adorable is this? Could you imagine going to bed every night in this bedroom? Seriously, it would be like transporting yourself into another world. Just put on some Renaissance lute music - which I do unironically listen to - and you're basically in your own personal fairy tale.
And see how the headboard brings that sense of roundness that Hobbit holes have? And combined with the corbels and the art, you really can capture the spirit of Hobbit architecture, since we can't actually renovate a rental.
Then the star of the show, of course, is the tree branch piece, which also doubles as a nightstand in my design. So while it may be a large piece, it's not quite as large when you factor in that it's taking up some of the room that a nightstand would be taking anyway. And it really just adds a sense of whimsy that I personally just cannot resist - in case I haven't made that clear. 🙃
Overall, the rustic woods, natural elements, earthy color palette, and fairy tale sensibilities come together to create a little hobbit hole escape that you can cozy up in and pretend that the modern world doesn't exist outside.
Fairy tales don't have to just be for books and movies—your apartment can be your own personal fairy tale if you want it to be. And Hobbitcore decor can be a lovely way to write that fantasy for yourself.
If you love the look of Hobbitcore, the best way to shop it is in a vintage store or antique shop. And if you want some inspiration for that, then give this video of mine a watch next! I went to a vintage shop here in Seattle, and I took you through the whole place and showed you all the awesome treasures that I found. So if you want some really pretty antique vintage inspiration, give this one a watch next!
